Johnson
Park Rehabilitation Project

As one of the
most significant properties in the State of
New Jersey from an architectural, cultural,
and historical perspective, the reclamation
of Johnson Park is long overdue. Not
only is the park an important part of
Camden’s heritage, it represents an opportunity
to develop pride among City residents and reestablish
the City as the cultural center of southern
New Jersey. The Johnson Park Rehabilitation
Project entails a complete rehabilitation of
the historic Eldridge R. Johnson Park to a
state mimicking its original grandeur upon
completion in 1930. This is the
period from which most elements remain extant,
and in which the park attained the unique and
playful character for which it is remembered.

A project team of
landscape architects, engineers, curators, historians,
and preservation experts was assembled to complete
the designs for the rehabilitation of Johnson
Park: Cooper's Ferry Development Association (project
management), Andropogon Associates (landscape
architect), DPK, AIA (restoration architecture),
Kreilick Conservation (architectural conservation),
Bruce Brooks and Associates (mechanical engineering),
and Damiano Long (surveying). This
extensive project is made possible by a $1.6
million grant to the Camden Redevelopment Agency
from the Camden Economic Recovery Board and an
additional $900,000 of grant funding to Cooper's
Ferry Development Association and Camden County
from the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection’s Green Acres Program.

There are five main areas of
effort in the overall rehabilitation including
restoration of important sculptures within the
park; the restoration of the fountains and pools;
rehabilitation of the landscape; historic interpretation;
and accessibility improvements.

1. Restoration
of Sculptures

The original designs for Johnson
Park included a number of unique bronze and limestone
sculptures. While there are several pieces
which exist intact, a number of items exist in
pieces or in photographic record only. The
major restorative efforts of the project include
the rehabilitation of the Peter Pan statue, including
reconstructing Peter Pan’s flute; restoring
the lamp columns and four-globe light standards
at each side of the base of the library steps;
rebuilding the magnificent bronze railing surrounding
the base of the Pan Fountain; and restoring the
light fixtures on the balustrade wall at each
walkway.

2. Rehabilitation
of Pools and Fountains

When Johnson Park fell into disrepair,
the pools were filled with soil and planted. The
Rehabilitation Project calls for the excavation
of the soil and the creation of reflecting pools
at the Buddha fountain and surrounding the Peter
Pan statue. Updated plumbing, a filtration
system, and other changes will be made to minimize
hazards and maintenance issues.

3. Landscape
Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation of the landscape
includes a broad range of activities such as
repairing and replacing paving, plantings, and
site structures. This includes adding seating
areas and increased lighting to expand the use
of the park as a tourist destination and community
gathering area.

4. Historic
Interpretation

The Johnson Park Rehabilitation
Project presents an opportunity to interpret
and present the history of the park. The
pergolas being built to mimic the changing pagodas
that once stood in the park will offer additional
seating in the park. And, through interpretive
signage and future exhibitions we hope to share
the history of the park with people throughout
the region.

5. Accessibility
Improvements

The project’s
accessibility improvements will not only make
the Cooper Library building fully A.D.A. accessible,
it will repair the damage that has been caused
by the introduction of the handicap ramp in the
rear of the building. The project entails
removing the existing handicap ramp, which was
added in 1979, and creating a basement level
entrance into the building by excavating portions
in the rear of the park. An elevator will
then be added into the building to make all three
floors of the building fully accessible.

The Project’s
Importance

In the period from
1950 to 1970 Johnson Park was seriously neglected
and vandalized. Valuable bronze statues
had been stolen or damaged, some ripped from
their bases, and graffiti and theft plagued the
park that was once the focal point of the City’s
cultural history. In 1997, a Phase I restoration
project, led by Cooper’s Ferry, John Giannotti,
and Rutgers University, was completed by Heritage
Landscapes and successfully salvaged pieces of
the park before they had been permanently destroyed;
however, there is much work to be completed.

The Johnson Park
Rehabilitation Project is another important step
toward the revitalization of the City of Camden. A
restored Johnson Park will provide recreational
opportunities to people of all ages from the
City of Camden and the region, providing culture,
education, and entertainment all in one place. It
will serve as a gathering place for residents
of the Cooper-Grant neighborhood and a meeting
spot for Rutgers University students. In
its strategic location, the restoration of Johnson
Park will improve the pedestrian linkages between
downtown Camden and waterfront venues. And,
located adjacent to a New Jersey Transit RiverLine
station stop, the beauty of Johnson Park may
entice residents and visitors alike to stopover,
enjoy the open space, patronize downtown businesses,
and go to a waterfront attraction.

The Johnson Park
Rehabilitation Project aims to preserve the greatest
lasting memorial to Eldridge R. Johnson, who
contributed so much to the architectural, cultural,
educational, and economic betterment of Camden
and the State of New Jersey. Johnson Park
has a long and distinguished history in the City
of Camden, and we must ensure that its character
and charm remain for future generations to enjoy.

The
Johnson Park Rehabilitation Project is
financed by the Camden
Redevelopment Agency, the Economic
Recovery Board for Camden (ERB), and
the State
of New Jersey Green Acres Program.
The
Cooper's Ferry Development Association and
Rutgers University are overseeing the project.